My story

[Niklovely]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and just got recently diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. I'll be 24 in September and before dealing with this disease, I was a full time college student with a full time job. I'm 6 credits shy of earning my bachelors degree but since I got sick, I've had to postpone finishing up my degree.

I spent about 2 months dealing with my first flare up and 10 days in the hospital. I'm currently on Bentyl, Pred taper, Asacol and Remicade. I just got my second infusion on Monday.

I'm still all new to this and I get on the forum everyday, and research the disease every day so I can learn as much as I can.

Just wanted to go ahead and introduce myself since I'd like to stick around. Everyone seems so helpful!

 

[michaelearnest]

Hello there - I am wishing you good luck with your health and hope you return shortly to get your degree.

 

[Niklovely]

Thanks so much!

 

[Angrybird]

Hello and welcome to the forum

How are you doing now symprom wise?

AB
xx

 

[Niklovely]

Well, I still have mild stomach cramps but nothing compared to what I was going through before. Oddly, I get them at night. I do not have bloody or pussy diarrhea anymore. And I have 1-3 bowel movements a day.

My doctor gave me the okay to add new food to my diet after my Remicade infusion on Monday. He suggested a salad but I'm not sure what I can start eating. Any tips?

Because of the Pred, I can't sleep at night and I have moon face and acne. But it doesn't really bother me much.

 

[michaelearnest]

1-3 bowel movements is great (knock on wood)

 

[Adam1971]

Because of the Pred, I can't sleep at night and I have moon face and acne. But it doesn't really bother me much.

Hello and welcome. I was dx last March, and also could not sleep too well on prednisone. Have you been taking your doses in the am? That can make a big difference.

 

[Niklovely]

Hello and welcome. I was dx last March, and also could not sleep too well on prednisone. Have you been taking your doses in the am? That can make a big difference.

Yep, I'm usually up-and-at-em at 5:00am and by 5:30am the pred is in my system.

 

[EthanPSU]

Hey, It sucks that you were diagnosed right during college. I was diagnosed in my senior year of highschool so thankfully I was well enough off that missing a ton of classes didn't really affect me. I couldn't imagine not having my crohns under control and such during college. I just graduated college back in May but still job searching... :/

Anyways, these forums are a great place to get any of your questions answered.

 

[Niklovely]

Hey, It sucks that you were diagnosed right during college. I was diagnosed in my senior year of highschool so thankfully I was well enough off that missing a ton of classes didn't really affect me. I couldn't imagine not having my crohns under control and such during college. I just graduated college back in May but still job searching... :/

Anyways, these forums are a great place to get any of your questions answered.

Congrats on graduating! And yeah, I was right in the middle of my first major flare up while actually sitting in class. I had to drop my classes

Good luck on the job hunt!

 

[David]

Hi Nik and welcome to the community

I think you're VERY smart for educating yourself about this disease. I have little doubt it will help you in the long term. The more you're able to advocate for yourself, the better. So good for you!

I hope you're able to get those 6 credits under your belt soon.

All my best to you

 

[Niklovely]

Hi Nik and welcome to the community

I think you're VERY smart for educating yourself about this disease. I have little doubt it will help you in the long term. The more you're able to advocate for yourself, the better. So good for you!

I hope you're able to get those 6 credits under your belt soon.

All my best to you

Thank you so much!

I learned from my experience in the hospital that I need to be my strongest advocate for myself because if I'm not, then who will, you know?